The weather, more than any other phenomena on Earth has influenced and continues to influence the course of daily human events. We are inundated daily with accounts of weather good and bad. Our daily activities depend, a great deal, on the weather. We cannot fly a plane, have soldiers jump out of planes, or, for that matter, fight a war without consulting meteorologists to see what the weather is supposed to be on any given day. The Persian Gulf War and the Iraqi Freedom War were all planned according to the weather. Our forces were not sent into fight or even to bomb targets until the meteorologists were consulted and the okay was given for those in charge to begin the fight. This class is designed to introduce you to the basic factors of weather/meteorology and to engage your natural curiosity in it. I hope you will find this course knowledgeable as well as challenging.
This class was designed around the Internet like our daily activities are designed around the weather. Atmospheric Interactions is both qualitatively and quantitatively based. Simple meteorological observations are interwoven with online based assignments, video streaming through digitalcurriculum.com, problems, graphing activities and writing assignments to introduce students to the many facets of weather.
What is global warming?
What causes global warming?
Why is it hot in Florida while it is cold in New England?
What causes thunderstorms?
Why are there more people killed by lightening in Florida than in any other place in the United States?
Where is "Tornado Alley"?
Is it the heat or the humidity?
Why does it feel hotter when the temperature is 93 degrees with high humidity levels than it does when it's 93 degrees and zero humidity?
How real was the movie "Twister"?
Or for that matter, how real was the weather forecast for today?
Atmospheric Interactions is a course for the curious minded student. Like the atmosphere, the class offers structure along with an opportunity to investigate areas of personal interest.
Well, how about it, will you join us for the next 18 weeks in Atmospheric Interactions? Come on now, we're going to have lots of fun and do a lot of work at the same time. Don't be shy now, come on and stay with us.
